How you can use shutdown to unlock an auction star or two
THIS year has been hugely difficult for us all but, in this new period of lockdown, I hope I can cheer you with some positives that have emerged in 2020.
But firstly, I would like to thank you for reading this column and showing interest in Hansons Auctioneers. I hope our lockdown discoveries and nostalgic stories serve to cheer you a little.
Hansons has learned a great deal in recent months. We rose above the shock of the national lockdown in March, adapted our business to suit the new sociallydistanced world and, once restrictions eased, continued to serve you. Thanks to the changes made I’m delighted to say that, for the most part, it’s business as usual during the November lockdown.
Our online-only auctions will take place as normal, consignments are welcomed for our December and January sales, free valuations are available, albeit remotely, and we can offer home visits with safety regulations in place.
This time we are prepared for lockdown. The safety of both clients and staff was already at the heart of what we do. For example, our salerooms closed to the public in March and have remained shut ever since.
To allow our usual free valuation service to continue we placed an airy outdoor marquee outside Etwall Auction Centre. And to ensure buyers could receive their goods, we devised contactless collections by appointment to keep everyone safe. Meanwhile, our in-house packaging and postage department came into its own.
It now handles up to 150 parcels a day.
The only thing we can’t offer during the November lockdown are our usual free valuation sessions at our salerooms. But apart from that my team is here to help as always.
And I’d like to think that, come December, I will be telling you about some great lockdown finds made in November.
Who knows what may emerge when you start digging out those Christmas trees or festive wrapping paper?
I like to think that the finds we make together offer the world some lighthearted respite amid a pandemic which has changed our lives beyond measure.
The ‘pause’ not only gave us time to reflect, it offered an opportunity to discover an auction star or two. After all, who would have thought that a ‘teapot’ found in a South
Derbyshire garage during lockdown would turn out to be a rare Imperial Chinese wine ewer. It sold for £390,000 and gained international press coverage.
And some items destined to spark an international bidding war have found their way to us by post. For example, a 1997 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first edition hardback – one of only 500 – arrived at our saleroom in a parcel from Luxembourg. It went on to sell for £75,000.
The delighted owner plans to use the money to free his daughter of university debt to make it easier for her to buy her first home.
It’s wonderful to play a part in happy endings. A teenage metal detectorist who recently sold a penny from the 1100s for £3,100 plans to invest his proceeds in driving lessons.
So, if you’re stuck at home in November why not go on a treasure hunt? To inspire you, I will share some results from our October Fine Art sales. For example, with precious metal prices enjoying high prices, the silver, jewellery and watches sections performed exceptionally well. Lot 13, a late 1960s boxed gents’ Omega 18ct gold Chronometer, made £3,800 and Lot 46, a large George V silver sideboard tray, sold for £1,950.
Meanwhile, a private collection of early English glass, pottery and works of art brought in £18,200.
Highlights included lot 211, a late 19th Century Mauchline ware snuff box relating to Dr George Matheson, a famous blind Glasgow University academic. Lot 572, a circa 1860, possibly Wedgwood, creamware mincer reached £400.
Then there was lot 329, a 19th Century French ormolu bracket clock by Jean Baptiste Delettrez, £1,000; lot 353, a Queen Anne walnut chest on a stand, £2,000, and lot 379, a set of four 1930s leather-topped bar stools from the Queen Mary, £1,900.
Another highlight was a collection of 20th century ceramics, mainly Albany, gathered by Staffordshire-born Roy Taylor which sold for a total of £18,000. Lot 787, an Albany china model of a dappled grey horse, galloped to £260.
A corporate collection of modern included limitededition prints by noted 20th Century names such as Sir Peter Blake, Gillian Ayres, Albert Irvin, John Hoyland and Sir Terry Frost. The collection totalled £18,000 and highlights included Lot 983, Peter Blake’s ‘The Second Real Target 25 Years Later’ at £1,700.
Oil on canvas highlights included Lot 17, early 18th Century French School of Sarah arriving at the House of Tobit at £2,400 and lot 67, a still life study of fruit by Edward Ladell sold for £3,500.
We are inviting entries of jewellery, watches, silver, fine ceramics, glass, works of art, paintings, books, furniture and clocks for our Christmas Fine Art and general sales.
To book a valuation or free home visit, please email: service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk